A bass-baritone from Regina took home first prize at the Canadian Opera Company’s Second Annual Ensemble Studio Competition.

A packed house at the Richard Bradshaw amphitheatre listened as ten hopefuls sang for judges and the audience in hopes of winning cash prizes and a place in the ensemble.

Bass-baritone Gordon Bintner of Regina took home first prize of $5,000 and the People’s Choice Award, worth another $1,500.

Tenor Andrew Haji of London, Ontario, won the second prize of $3,000. Mezzo-soprano Charlotte Burrage of Woodstock was awarded the third prize of $1,500.

The C.O.C. will decide at a later date which of the finalists will be offered a coveted spot in the ensemble.